Islamist Extremism

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will make a statement on the Government's progress in combating Islamist extremism.

Ruth Kelly: The police and security services continue their good work to disrupt and prevent Islamist extremists.
	My Department is leading the Government's work engaging with Muslim communities to acknowledge and tackle Islamist extremism at the grassroots. With an expanding network of Muslim partners we are developing communities that condemn and isolate extremist activity.

Local Services

Tom Levitt: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps she plans to take to enable communities to exert greater control over the manner of delivery of local services.

Angela Smith: The Local Government White Paper will place local people at the heart of local decision-making. There is a clear link between people's satisfaction with public services and their ability to influence them. Our reforms will give local people new powers so they can have more say in service delivery.

Building Regulations

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government why houses of multiple occupation are not classified as a specific category of residential property; and if she will take steps to ensure that Building Regulations Part E, on resistance to the passage of sound, be applied in cases where landlords seek to rent a property to students, particularly in areas with large student populations.

Angela Smith: holding answer 13 September 2006
	Under the Building Regulations each individually occupied room in a house of multiple occupation would be a "room for residential purposes". Part E — Resistance to the passage of sound, will apply where there is a change of use of the building so that it contains a greater or lesser number of rooms for residential purposes than it previously did. This will include situations where the use of a house changes from ordinary housing into accommodation by students (or other type of HMO), or where the number of rooms in the house being used by students to live in changes.

Electromagnetic Fields

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the ICNIRP guidelines are in relation to the limitation of exposure of the general public to electro magnetic fields; and if she will make a statement.

Meg Munn: In April 1998, the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) published guidelines for limiting exposure to time-varying electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields in the frequency range up to 300 GHz. This report is available at www.icnirp.de.
	Restrictions on the effects of exposure to time-varying EMFs are based on biological considerations of their interactions with the body and are termed basic restrictions.
	Depending on frequency, the physical quantities used to specify the basic restrictions include: induced current density, measured in Amps per square metre (A m(2)); specific energy absorption rate (SAR), measured in watts per kilogram (W / kg); or, for higher frequencies, power density, measured in watts per square metre (W / m(2)).
	For example, the basic restriction on exposure to EMFs in the frequency range between 10 Hz and 1 kHz, which includes the frequency of UK mains electricity, for occupational exposure, ICNIRP recommends 10 mA m(-2) (10 milliAmps per square cm). For public exposure, ICNIRP recommends a reduction in the limit to 2 milliamps per cm (2 mA m(-2)) —5 times less.
	For the frequencies used by mobile phone companies, the ICNIRP guidelines for occupational exposure specify 22.5 watts per square metre (for 900 MHz) and 45 watts per square metre (for 1.8 GHz frequency). For public exposure, these guidelines are 4.5 watts per square metre and 9 watts per square metre respectively— 5 times less.

Electromagnetic Fields

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether in accordance with the Government's policy and planning guidelines failure of a planning application to comply with the limitation of exposure of the general public to electro magnetic fields shall automatically result in a refusal; and if she will make a statement.

Meg Munn: Planning Policy Guidance Note 8: Telecommunications states that
	"All new mobile phone base stations are expected to meet the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) guidelines.
	With every application, the operators now have to include a statement that self-certifies to the effect that the mobile phone base stations, when operational, will meet the guidelines.
	In line with the Group's recommendations the mobile network operator should also provide to the local authority a statement for each site indicating its location, the height of the antenna, the frequency and modulation characteristics and details of power output. Where a mobile phone base station is added to an existing mast or site, the operator should confirm that the cumulative exposure will not exceed the ICNIRP guidelines.
	In most cases, the emissions from base station are many hundreds, or thousands, of times lower than the ICNIRP guidelines. However, should operators not submit a certificate of compliance with ICNIRP, the local authority would be able to refuse planning permission".

Empty Dwellings

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many full-time equivalent staff in the Residential Property Tribunals are employed to work on Empty Dwelling Management Order hearings.

Yvette Cooper: The Residential Property Tribunal Service covers Rent Assessment Committees, Leasehold Valuation Tribunals and Residential Property Tribunals. It employs 92 full-time equivalent civil-service staff on case work, each of whom are expected to assist with the full-range of cases brought before the Committees and/or Tribunals. In 2005, the number of cases brought before the different Committees and/or Tribunals was 7,735 of which the majority, 4,395, were heard by the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal. No staff are employed specifically to deal with Empty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMOs). Residential Property Tribunals were given the jurisdiction to decide on applications in respect of EDMOs from 6 July 2006. At present there have been no EDMO cases submitted for consideration.

Home Energy Efficiency

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans she has for encouraging the insulation of walls in domestic properties.

Angela Smith: Ensuring that homes have both efficient heating and effective insulation is an integral part of the Decent Homes standard. Our guidance sets out the means by which landlords can meet this thermal comfort criterion, and also recommends that they seek to go further to improve energy efficiency, for example by replacing inefficient boilers, or installing extra insulation or double glazing. Within the private sector the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Warm Front Programme designed to challenge fuel poverty provides grants that can be used for insulation.

Home Information Packs

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what meetings  (a) officials and  (b) Ministers have had with the Association of Home Information Pack Providers in the last six months.

Yvette Cooper: Regular meetings have been held by officials with the Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHIPP) over the last six months as with all major stakeholders. Since 9 May 2005 I have met twice with AHIPP and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has met with AHIPP once.

Home Inspectors

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether  (a) convicted criminals who have served and completed a prison sentence more than five years ago,  (b) persons on the Sex Offenders Register and  (c) persons on List 99 are eligible to become home inspectors.

Yvette Cooper: There are currently no criminal record checks on estate agents or surveyors who conduct surveys for home buyers. The business standards for Certification Schemes, published on 14 June 2006, set out the requirements for all Home Inspectors to undergo a full background check, including a Criminal Records Bureau check. These standards are similar to those applying to join the police force and require applications to be rejected from those convicted or cautioned for selected serious arrestable offences. The Certification Scheme will use this information to make a judgment as to whether an individual is a "fit and proper person" to become a Home Inspector.
	Certification schemes will not have access to the Sex Offenders Register or List 99 which are restricted to employers recruiting staff who will work directly with children or vulnerable adults. However the Criminal Records check will include all past convictions including sex offences.

Housing

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 3 July 2006,  Official Report, column 764W, on housing, what account she took of the potential for conflicts of interest in commissioning Roger Tym and Partners to look at housing targets in the South East; and what arrangements were put in place to take account of that company's role in advising companies seeking approval for large scale housing developments in the South East.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 11 July 2006
	The Government commissioned this research to augment the evidence base for the forthcoming Examination in Public (EiP) into the draft Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) for the South East. It is an independent technical exercise to consider the impacts and implications of accommodating levels of growth above that proposed by the South East of England Regional Assembly (SEERA).The intention in commissioning the work was make sure that the evidence is available to inform an open and wide ranging debate about all these issues at the EiP.
	This report is not intended to pre-empt the RSS process, it is not a statement of Government policy and does not signal any preference for particular housing numbers on the part of Government.
	The responsibility for testing the draft RSS in the light of all relevant evidence submitted and making recommendations to the Government is with the independent Panel who will conduct the forthcoming Examination in Public. The contractual approval to award this contract was given in full accordance with public sector contract procedures.
	As the hon. Member for South West Surrey is aware, it is the Contractor's responsibility to ensure that no conflict of interest arises in connection with the services to be carried out under these contractual procedures. My Department was not consulted by the Contractor on any uncertainty about whether any such conflict of interest may exist or arise with regard to this specific research contract.
	The consultants who carried out this research have also carried out technical work for the South East England Regional Assembly.

Listed Buildings

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance she has given to English Heritage on the acceptability of  (a) secondary glazing and  (b) double glazing to upgrade listed buildings; and if she will make a statement.

Angela Smith: Annex C of Planning Policy Guidance Note 15: Planning and the Historic Environment sets out the Government's policy on alterations to listed buildings. Paragraphs C.40—C.51 set out guidance on windows. Paragraph C.50 states that:
	'It is usually impossible to install double-glazed units in existing frames or to replicate existing frames with new sealed units without making noticeable changes to the profiles of glazing bars, styles and rails. The new glass in such units may also significantly alter the appearance of the window. Such changes are rarely acceptable in listed buildings. Weather stripping and draughtproofing are visually more innocuous changes as well as thermally efficient and cost-effective. Secondary glazing in a removable inner frame is another acceptable option for some windows.'

Newcastle Regeneration

Nick Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps she has taken to provide new social housing in east Newcastle.

Yvette Cooper: The Housing Corporation made provision in the 2004-6 programme to assist with the affordable housing reprovision in the Walker area of east Newcastle. Progress has been conditional on site availability of which there have been delays due to rehousing and site assembly. The first contract of approximately 30 units is coming to completion and lettings of those properties are ongoing. There is provision in the 2006-08 programme to allow housing associations to provide further homes—both for rent and for shared ownership. The next phase starts on site in November and will complete approximately 12 months later (15 properties for rent and 20 for shared ownership) Finance is available to fund further phases as sites become available. It is anticipated that within the 2006-08 programme work will commence to provide at least 30 more rented properties.

Thames Gateway

John Gummer: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much private sector investment has been levered in to assist with the Government Thames Gateway programme since July 2003.

Yvette Cooper: The original estimate for private sector leverage in the longer-term development of the Thames Gateway was £2 billion. We have already seen major private investments begun, including commitments of £2 billion at the Greenwich Peninsula development, works begun at the ProLogis £500 million 'Bridge' development in Dartford and the £100 million earthworks by Land Securities at the Ebbsfleet Valley.
	Our Programme funding is creating the conditions for future private sector investment in the Gateway. In terms of future leverage, in south Essex our existing funding of £120 million is estimated to lever in £700 million from the public and private sectors. Other forecast examples include some £7 billion in the London borough of Greenwich and £2 billion for Medway, including £500 million for DCLG's biggest investment at Rochester Riverside.

UNSCR 1325

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what resources have been made available to the Women's National Commission to monitor the implementation of the Government's Action Plan on United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325.

Meg Munn: Following the launch of the Government's Action Plan on United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is taking the lead in implementing the Plan and works closely with the Gender Action Peace Security (GAPS) and Associate Parliamentary Group (APG) in monitoring progress. In addition to representatives from Government Departments, these groups also comprise representatives from a number of women's NGO's.
	The Department of Communities and Local Government sponsors the Women's National Commission (WNC) through the Women and Equality Unit, and allocation of resources within the WNC is their decision. The WNC contributed to the development of the Action Plan and women's NGO's still play an active part in its implementation.
	The UK was a driving force behind the adoption of SCR 1325, on Women Peace and Security, in October 2000 and we continue to support this key resolution and promote its implementation at the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, United Nations, European Union and in the international community.

Debt Collection

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if the Government will include provisions in the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Bill 2006 to make it a criminal offence for bailiffs and other debt collectors to fulfil their clients' instructions using  (a) menaces,  (b) illegal or enforced entry without proper warrant or legal authority and  (c) clamping or seizing vehicles without proper warrant or legal authority; and if he will provide for a Regulatory and Ombudsman regime to have oversight of the industry and adjudicate in any complaints made against (i) any individual bailiff or debt collector and (ii) the firms they represent.

Harriet Harman: My Department published the draft Tribunals Courts and Enforcement Bill on 25 July 2006 and the proposals contained within the draft bill are now being considered by my officials in the light of comments received. These cover the use of reasonable force to enter a debtor's premises, regulations outlining the circumstances in which a bailiff may take control of goods or vehicles, the remedies that are available to the debtor should a bailiff breach any of the provisions in the Bill and an improved regulatory regime for all private sector bailiffs. A Bill will be published and introduced when parliamentary time allows.
	Currently, there are no plans to create new criminal offences for illegal actions committed by bailiffs and other debt collectors, as these are already covered by existing legislation. The Government's long-term intention is to introduce full-scale regulation of the entire bailiff industry by way of an independent statutory regulatory body.
	Regulation of debt collectors is a function of the Office of Fair Trading, as debt collection is a regulated activity under the Consumer Credit Act 1974. Legislation already exists to prevent debt collectors harassing debtors; as do processes to deal with complaints against debt collectors and the firms that they represent.

Departmental Expenditure

Grant Shapps: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how much was spent by her Department on food and alcohol for its staff working out of office in each year since 2001-02.

Vera Baird: It is not possible to list the amount spent on food and alcohol for staff working out of office by the Department since 2001-02 without incurring disproportionate costs as they are not separately identifiable within the Department's accounts.
	All expenditure on food and alcohol is made in accordance with published departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety that are based on the principles set out in "Government Accounting".

Drakes Group of Companies

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what oversight her Department undertakes of the work of Drakes Group of Companies for the courts service; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: The Drakes Group provide services to Her Majesty's Courts Service (HMCS) under the terms of contracts that commenced on 1 April 2006. regional contract managers employed by HMCS manage the contracts locally. They receive monthly performance reports from Drakes and hold regular meetings to discuss issues, complaints and the provision of services generally. The contracts are monitored centrally and a review of both performance and compliance with the terms of the contract is undertaken every six months.

Freedom of Information Act

Mike Hancock: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs which  (a) Ministers and  (b) officials (i) recommended and (ii) approved the Government's policy that decennial census records for England and Wales should continue to be closed to public inspection for 100 years after the introduction of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 on 1 January 2005.

Harriet Harman: Ministers, rather than civil servants, are responsible and accountable for policy decisions and announcements made by Government.
	The Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs is responsible within Government for both Freedom of Information and the National Archive.
	Since 1966 it has been established Government policy that the decennial census returns should be closed for a period of 100 years. DCA and Treasury Ministers review this policy regularly, acting on advice from the Office for National Statistics and The National Archives.

Magistrates Courts

Adam Holloway: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many magistrates' courts have been closed in Gravesham since 1997.

Harriet Harman: Since 1997 Gravesend magistrates court has been closed. The court closed on 9 June 2000.

Warley Magistrates

John Spellar: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many members there are on the Warley magistrates' bench; and how many live in the post code area  (a) B65,  (b) B66,  (c) B67,  (d) B68 and  (e) B69.

Harriet Harman: There are 146 magistrates on the Warley magistrates bench. Listed in the following table are those that live in the specific post code areas.
	
		
			   Number 
			  (a) B65 14 
			  (b) B66 4 
			  (c) B67 18 
			  (d) B68 23 
			  (e) B69 18

National Lottery

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much has been spent on Lottery ticket purchases in  (a) Thurrock and  (b) the Thurrock constituency since the launch of the national lottery in 1994.

Richard Caborn: holding answer 9 October 2006
	The National Lottery operator, Camelot, does not collect ticket sales information on a constituency basis and does not routinely collect ticket sales data on a postcode basis. The most up-to-date sales data by postcode area is available in the Libraries of both Houses and provides information up to 2004.

VisitBritain

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many bookings have been made with tourist operators through VisitBritain's England net service since the scheme's inception; and what her Department's projections were for those numbers.

Shaun Woodward: Formal monitoring of referrals, and the bookings which result from them on the EnglandNet platform began in April 2006. Between April and August 2006, 2,948 referrals were made from EnglandNet to providers' websites, from which 428 bookings resulted. During September 2006, 1,018 referrals were made to providers', websites, but the number of resultant bookings is not yet available.
	My Department has made no projections regarding bookings resulting from referrals via EnglandNet.

Carbon Emissions

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the total carbon emission from his Department's buildings in each year since 1997;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the total carbon emission from military establishments  (a) in the UK and  (b) based abroad in each year since 1997.

Derek Twigg: The estimated Ministry of Defence carbon emissions from buildings within the UK and Overseas defence estate in each year since 1997 are:
	
		
			  Emissions in CO2 tonnes 
			   UK Defence Estate  Overseas Defence Estate  Total 
			 1996-97 — — 2023 
			 1997-98 — — 1837 
			 1998-99 — — 1878 
			 1999-2000 1684.9 361.5 2046.4 
			 2000-01 1665.8 361.5 2027.3 
			 2001-02 1574.5 356.0 1930.5 
			 2002-03 1592.5 353.8 1946.3 
			 2003-04 1614.1 367.0 1981.1 
			 2004-05 1655.9 354.5 2010.4 
		
	
	It is not possible to separate out UK and overseas emissions prior to 1999 and figures for 2005-06 are not yet available. However the latter will be published later this year in the Sustainable Development Commission's Sustainable Development in Government Report 2005-06, a copy of which will be placed in the Library of the House.

Energy Consumption

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the opportunities for microgeneration on his Department's property as a means of sourcing energy for use by the Department.

Derek Twigg: It is departmental policy to maximise energy supply from renewable sources by exploiting all through-life renewable energy supply opportunities that offer value for money. A range of appraisal tools and evaluation methodologies have been mandated within the Department to prompt consideration of the potential to improve energy efficiency, promote the use of renewables and explore the procurement of energy that has been generated in environmentally acceptable ways.
	The Ministry of Defence is working in partnership with the Carbon Trust to identify opportunities to increase the number of self generating renewable technology schemes, including microgeneration, installed on the defence estate.

Environmental Policies

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what recent steps have been taken to  (a) minimise water consumption,  (b) reduce energy use,  (c) conserve energy and  (d) reduce waste in his Department's (i) offices and (ii) properties;
	(2)  what measures have been put in place at  (a) barracks,  (b) training centres and  (c) administrative offices to minimise energy consumption.

Derek Twigg: The Ministry of Defence's (MOD) Annual Sustainable Development Report 2005 published in August 2006, addresses all aspects of MOD's performance with regard to Sustainable Development and progress against wider Government Sustainable Development targets, which includes water consumption, energy usage, and waste management. The report highlights areas of success and illustrates actions underway across the estate as a whole and can be viewed at:
	http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/WhatWeDo/HealthandSafety/DSC/SustamableDevelopmentAnnualReport2005.htm.

Apprenticeships

Andrew Pelling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what percentage of 16 to 18-year-olds have taken up full-time apprenticeships.

Phil Hope: At end 2005 there were 127,200 16 to 18-year-olds participating on Apprenticeships (Apprenticeships and Advanced Apprenticeships) in England. This was 6.4 per cent. of the total 16-18 population.

Departmental Expenditure

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much was spent by  (a) his Department,  (b) its agencies and  (c) its non-departmental public bodies in respect of hotel and other similar privately-provided accommodation (i) in the UK and (ii) abroad for (A) Ministers, (B) staff and (C) other persons in each year since 2001-02.

Parmjit Dhanda: Details of hotel accommodation expenditure incurred by the Department over the last five years are set out in the following table.
	
		
			   Accommodation expenditure (£) 
			 2005-06 1,053,065 
			 2004-05 1,155,459 
			 2003-04 1,440,033 
			 2002-03 1,372,701 
			 2001-02 1,218,855 
		
	
	The Department has engaged an agent to arrange hotel accommodation for DfES staff that stay overnight when on official business. The hotel expenditure recorded relates to all hotel accommodation booked via the Agent and billed separately to the Department. The recorded expenditure does not include hotel accommodation booked independently as such expenditure is accounted for under a general heading of subsistence.
	Details of official foreign travel expenditure incurred by the Department over the last five years are set out in the following table.
	
		
			   Travel expenditure (£) 
			 2005-06 250,521.17 
			 2004-05 179,765.46 
			 2003-04 218,358.27 
			 2002-03 243,096.69 
			 2001-02 510,242.47 
		
	
	Hotel accommodation abroad cannot be extracted from the overall costs of foreign travel. Ministers and DfES staff travelling abroad are entitled to claim an allowance covering each 24 hour period or part thereof. The 24 hour rate covers the cost of accommodation at a good class hotel, 3 meals a day, services charges and taxes. The expenditure recorded does not include foreign travel costs that may be charged to a programme account, this cannot be easily extracted within disproportionate cost. The Department does not have any Executive Agencies. The Department currently has 18 NDPBs. They are independent organisations and records are not held centrally by the Department about their accommodation expenses. To extract those costs would involve disproportionate cost.

Disability Equality

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether he has made an assessment of which policy areas will be considered in his report on progress towards disability equality within the education and skills sector.

Phil Hope: The Disability Discrimination Act 2005 imposes a legal duty upon public authorities to look pro-actively at ways of ensuring that disabled people are treated equally. Furthermore the Act also requires certain Secretaries of State to publish a report by December 2008 which:
	gives an overview of progress made by public authorities operating in the relevant policy sector towards equality of opportunity between disabled people and other people; and
	sets out the proposals for the co-ordination of action by public authorities operating in that sector so as to bring about further progress towards equality of opportunity between disabled people and other people.
	Policy Officials are currently in the process of preparing the department's first Disability Equality Scheme which, in accordance with the Disability Discrimination Act 2005, will be published on 4 December 2006. In preparation for the Scheme all policies, functions and services are currently being assessed to establish whether disabled people are being disadvantaged in any way and, where this is the case, steps identified to remedy this. In light of this no formal decision has yet been taken on which policy areas will be considered for inclusion within the 2008 report on progress towards disability equality within the Education and Skills sector. However equality of opportunity for all is paramount throughout the department and all areas will be considered for inclusion.

Disability Equality

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how disabled people were involved in the production of his Department's disability equality scheme.

Phil Hope: The Government are committed to improving the position of disabled people in society and believes that public bodies should take the lead in promoting equality for all. The Department welcomes the new legislative duties under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 2005. The involvement of disabled people has been central to the development of our Disability Equality Scheme (DES), which will be published on 4 December 2006.
	Involving disabled people is a requirement of the specific duty to create a DES. Involvement has also had a significant impact on how we look at our programmes, policies and services, and identify priorities for development. The Department has involved disabled people in the development of its DES in several different ways. These include through:
	Existing forums of current service users
	Representation on an overarching Steering Group for the production of the DES
	Discussions with individual disabled people, who also lead organisations concerned with disability equality, about their priorities for change.
	Seeking the views of local organisations of disabled people
	Seeking the views of our Departmental Disability Group (DDG)
	Seeking the views of visually impaired members of staff on formats for publication of the Scheme
	Attendance at a conference to listen to the views of disabled people.

Education Maintenance Allowance

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people claimed education maintenance allowance in  (a) Milton Keynes and  (b) England in 2005.

Parmjit Dhanda: This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council, who operate education maintenance allowances for the DfES and hold the information about take-up of the scheme. Mark Haysom, the Council's Chief Executive, has written to the hon. Member with the information requested and a copy of his reply has been placed in the House Library.
	 Letter from Mark Haysom dated 6 October 2006
	I am writing in response to your parliamentary Question that asked "how many people claimed education maintenance allowance in  (a) Milton Keynes and  (b) England in 2005"
	During the 2005-06 academic year 1,641 young people in the Milton Keynes local authority area had applied, enrolled and received one or more Education Maintenance Allowance payments.
	During the 2005-06 academic year 428,117 young people in England had applied, enrolled and received one or more Education Maintenance Allowance payments.
	Trust this information is helpful.

Nursery Schools

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children are being funded for free nursery school places in  (a) Gravesham and  (b) Kent.

Beverley Hughes: Since April 2004 all three and four year olds have been entitled to a free, good quality, part-time early education place. The free entitlement consists of 12.5 hours early education per week for 38 weeks of the year and will be extended to 15 hours a week by 2010. By that time, parents who wish to do so will also be able to access the free entitlement flexibly across a minimum of three days.
	Figures for January 2006 show that virtually all 4-year-old children receive some form of free entitlement. The figure for 3-years-olds is 96 per cent. This covers all maintained, private, voluntary and independent providers and represents 541,700 3-year-olds and 559,400 4-year-olds.
	In January 2006 there were 970 part time funded places for three year olds and 1,100 part time funded places for four year olds in the Gravesham parliamentary constituency. There were 12,400 part time funded places for three year olds and 14,900 part time funded places for four year olds in the Kent local authority. The latest figures on early education places for three and four year olds in England were published in Statistical First Release 32/2006 'Provision for children under five years of age in England—January 2006 (final)' in September, which is available on my Department's website: www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/

Nursery Schools

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what the total amount of funding paid from central government to local authorities per child that attends a free nursery school place in  (a) Gravesham and  (b) Kent was in the last period for which figures are available;
	(2)  how much funding is paid to nursery settings by local authorities per child that attends a free place at nursery school in  (a) Gravesham and  (b) Kent.

Beverley Hughes: Local authorities receive funding for all pre-16 provision, through the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG). This is a ring-fenced DfES grant provided to local authorities to fund educational provision in all types of setting, including private, voluntary and independent settings offering free early education. Funding for under 5s is not identified separately within DSG. The DSG guaranteed unit of funding (for each full-time equivalent pupil aged 3-15) should not be seen as the level of funding for each pupil but as a mechanism for distributing the total quantum of DSG to local authorities. The total DSG funding provided to Kent county council in 2006-07 is £718 million (a 6.9 per cent. increase per pupil).
	Local authorities are responsible for deciding how best to apply the total funding across different age groups and between different types of provider taking account of local needs and circumstances. The "Code of Practice on the Provision of Free Nursery Education places for Three and Four Year Olds" makes clear that local authorities should fund all providers delivering the free early education entitlement equitably, fairly and transparently.

Special Educational Needs

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children received special educational needs statements in the London borough of Bexley in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Parmjit Dhanda: The available information is given in the following table.
	
		
			  Children for whom the authority maintains statements of Special Education Needs (SEN): Position in January each year: 2001 to 2006 Bexley local authority area 
			   Total number of children for whom the authority maintains statements of SEN  Number of children for whom statements of SEN were made for the first time 
			 2001 1,255 204 
			 2002 1,333 194 
			 2003 1,421 197 
			 2004 1,479 208 
			 2005 1,526 207 
			 2006 1,568 n/a 
			 n/a = Information on the number of children for whom statements were made for the first time is collected retrospectively. Source:SEN2 Survey

Special Educational Needs

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he is taking to ensure that statistics are collected by sex, ethnicity, location and severity of their needs on  (a) pupils with statements and  (b) pupils with special educational needs but without statements.

Parmjit Dhanda: Information on the characteristics of pupils with special educational needs is collected via the Department's Schools' Census (SC). The pupil characteristic data collected via SC include indicators relating to gender, ethnic group, home postcode, type of special educational need and whether the pupil is supported through a statement or at "School Action or School Action Plus". The latest Statistical First Release on Special Educational Needs was published in June 2006 and is available at: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000661/SFR23-2006v2.pdf
	Local authority level data on pupils with special educational needs has also been published on the Department's Research and Statistics Gateway at: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000661/index.shtml

Departmental Speech Publications

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many copies of his speech at the Royal Show on 3 July were distributed by post; and what was the total cost of this initiative.

Barry Gardiner: The speech, 'One Planet Farming—Towards a shared agenda for the future of farming', was sent to 53,000 farmers. The total cost of the typesetting and print of the document was £10,490 excluding VAT. It was distributed by post with the British Farmer and Grower publication by the NFU, at no additional cost to DEFRA.

Regulation (Full Cost Recovery)

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will estimate the cost to the Environment Agency of the exemption given to the policy of full cost recovery for regulation to farming.

Barry Gardiner: There is no general exemption given to the policy of full cost recovery for the environmental regulation enforced by the Environment Agency (EA) that applies to agriculture.
	In general, the legislation across all industries that involves permits, licences, consents or authorisations provides for charges to be made. Other, 'rule-based' regulation, which makes general provisions for all (rather than requiring a site-specific approach) does not. A significant part of farm regulation is based on 'rule-based' legislation. The EA's work on rule-based regulation is generally funded by Grant in Aid (GiA).
	There are three areas where special arrangements have been made for the agriculture sector relating to charges. All these originate from the Action Plan for Farming 2000 . They are:
	The waiving of charges for groundwater authorisations from their initial implementation until they were reinstated after four years in 2005. In this case the shortfall in charges replaced by GiA was of the order of £1 million per annum.
	The Waste Management (England and Wales) Regulations 2006 ('Agricultural Waste Regulations') which came into force on 15 May 2006. The Action Plan for Farming (2000) included a Government commitment that registration of exemptions for the agriculture sector would not be chargeable. No estimate on the cost to the EA is available. The Environment Agency and DEFRA are exploring low cost approaches to achieve the desired environmental outcomes in this area.
	The Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations 2000 which require that intensive livestock installations of relevant size thresholds hold a permit. The Action Plan for Farming included a commitment that application and subsistence charges for permits for the intensive livestock sector should be as low as possible. The Environment Agency, in consultation with DEFRA and industry organisations, has developed a low cost approach to PPC for the intensive livestock sector consistent with the lower charges.

Rural Payments Agency

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the  (a) budget allocation and  (b) actual expenditure of the Rural Payments Agency was in each year since 2000.

Barry Gardiner: The gross running costs and budget allocation associated with the administration of the payments by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) since its formation in October 2001 are listed in the following table.
	
		
			  £ million 
			   Actuals  Budget 
			 2001-02 119.619 111.401 
			 2002-03 116.147 117.185 
			 2003-04 175.986 192.848 
			 2004-05 229.588 219.011 
		
	
	The above costs associated for 2003-04 were prior to re-statement which occurred as a result the merger of a division of DEFRA into RPA.

Slaughterhouses

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what security is provided for brain stem samples, taken under the sampling procedures in place since the removal of the over 30 month bovines ban, in the time between sampling and despatch to the testing laboratory;
	(2)  which agency is responsible for carrying out and collecting brain stem samples under the sampling procedures introduced following the lifting of the ban on over 30 month bovines entering the human food chain.

Barry Gardiner: The taking of brain stem samples and their subsequent packaging, despatch and transportation to the laboratory is the responsibility of the slaughterhouse operator. The Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) carry out periodic checks on the sampling and packaging process.
	New controls are being introduced to strengthen arrangements to ensure the authenticity of any sample taken. These include:
	(i) notification to the MHS when slaughterhouse staff are trained using brain stems from cattle aged under 30 months;
	(ii) MHS supervision of the destruction of these samples;
	(iii) monitoring by MHS of the sealing of biohazard bags containing samples;
	(iv) the introduction of a unique serial number for such bags;
	(v) and the introduction of tamper-evident sample pots.

Afghanistan

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government hope to achieve in Afghanistan over the next three years; and what yardsticks will be used to assess  (a) progress and  (b) success.

Kim Howells: The UK, along with the Afghan Government and our international partners, is committed to a secure, stable and democratic Afghanistan. The framework to achieve this is set out in the Afghanistan Compact, agreed and adopted in London in January 2006. The Compact provides a clear framework for progress, measured against a series of benchmarks. Under the Afghanistan Compact, a Joint Co-ordination and Monitoring Board (JCMB) has been established to oversee strategic co-ordination of the implementation of the Compact. The JCMB provides regular public reports on progress made against the benchmarks and is the apparatus by which the international community, including the UK, will measure success in Afghanistan. A copy of the Afghanistan Compact has been placed in the Library of the House and is available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website at: http://www.fco.gov.uk/serv1et/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=l134650705195.
	In addition, the Enduring Relationship Declaration, agreed between the UK and Afghanistan in July 2005 provides for an annual review of goals and priorities, as well as a strategic review of future co-operation in 2015. A copy of this has also been placed in the Library of the House.

Burma

Julie Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps have been taken to prevent British dependent territories being used to channel inappropriate investments into Burma.

Kim Howells: The British Overseas Territories have the responsibility for ensuring that companies based in their territories do not invest in the Burmese state-owned enterprises named in The Burma (Restrictive Measures) (Overseas Territories) Order 2004 (Statutory Instruments (SI) 2004/1979) and The Burma (Restrictive Measures) (Overseas Territories) (Amendment) Order 2004 (SI 2004/3333). These two orders prohibit, amongst other things, making funds, financial assets or economic resources available to the extensive list of individuals listed under Council Common Position 2004/423/CFSP. The orders also ban, with certain exemptions, new investment in listed Burmese state-owned enterprises. These orders do not however apply in Bermuda and Gibraltar. In the case of Gibraltar, the EU Common Position is applied through Gibraltar's Export Control (Sanctions, etc) Orders 2005 and 2006, and the Burma, Freezing of Funds and Economic Resources, (no.2) Regulations 2005. The Government of Bermuda has not yet implemented the necessary legislation, but we are discussing this with them. We have seen no evidence that investments covered by the EU Common Position have been successfully routed through any of the Overseas Territories.

Child Soldiers

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps she is taking to ensure that UNSCR 1612 is effective in preventing the continued recruitment of child soldiers around the world.

Geoff Hoon: Child rights are one of the top three human rights priorities for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. An important focus is the issue of children affected by armed conflict, including the recruitment of children into armed forces and armed groups. The UK supported the establishment of a UN monitoring and reporting mechanism on this issue and is actively involved in the UN Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict, established by UN Security Council Resolution 1612, to follow up reports from this mechanism. The UK welcomes the efforts of the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative on Children and Armed Conflict to advocate the rights of children affected by armed conflict. The UK encourages all states who have not yet signed or ratified the Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflicts to do so as soon as possible.
	Ministers and officials have made representations on this issue. My right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Trade, Investment and Foreign Affairs (Mr. McCartney), raised our concerns on a number of issues in Burma including the recruitment of child soldiers with the Burmese ambassador in London in June, and in writing to the Burmese Foreign Minister in July. During 2005, officials were active in a series of EU démarches in countries where the use of child soldiers is a particular problem, such as Burundi, Colombia, Cote d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Nepal, Sudan and Uganda. The UK has also sought to ensure that disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration programmes are sustainable and make appropriate provision for the particular needs of children. This has included specific assistance in a number of the countries listed, for example the Ministry of Defence's assistance in reforming recruiting practices in the Sierra Leone army.

Departmental Child Care Facilities

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether there are waiting lists for places at childcare facilities which her Department provides for its employees.

Geoff Hoon: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office nursery in King Charles Street has four waiting lists, broken down in the following categories:
	Under one
	Under two
	Over two
	Over three
	The under one list is the longest with 17 parents currently waiting. For the rest, there are six parents in the under twos and nine in the over twos. There is currently no waiting list for the over threes.
	The Nursery in Hanslope Park, Milton Keynes also has four waiting lists as follows:
	three months—one year
	one—two years
	two—three years
	three—school age
	Only the three months—one year list is currently operating with 10 parents waiting.

International Criminal Court

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps she is taking to ensure that Joseph Kony and his supporters are brought before the International Criminal Court.

Kim Howells: In July 2004, the International Criminal Court (ICC) launched an investigation into the situation in Northern Uganda, following referral of the situation by the Government of Uganda. The ICC issued warrants for the arrest of five Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) commanders, including Joseph Kony, in October 2005. Raska Lukwiya, one of the indictees, is believed to have been killed in August 2006.
	The UK is a strong supporter—in principle and in practice—of the ICC. We believe it is imperative to tackle impunity, to deter others taking up arms and terrorising civilians.
	Responsibility to effect the arrest warrants lies in the first instance with the states on whose territory the LRA commanders are believed to be, in this case, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
	We continue to urge all parties, in particular the Governments of Uganda, the DRC and Sudan to fulfil their commitments to the ICC and we welcome the fact that these Governments are co-operating with the Court.

Iran

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when the International Atomic Energy Agency is next expected to report on the implementation of the Non-Proliferation Treaty Safeguards Agreement in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Margaret Beckett: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General, Dr. Mohammed El-Baradei, issued a report on 31 August 2006, as requested in United Nations Security Council Resolution 1696. This was discussed by the IAEA Board of Governors on 11 September and published on 14 September. The report (GOV/2006/53) can be found on the IAEA's website at www.iaea.org. Dr. El-Baradei has not said when he next plans to report and the Security Council has not yet made another specific request.
	Dr. El-Baradei's report indicates that Iran is not co-operating adequately with the IAEA and has not taken the steps required by the IAEA Board and the Security Council, including suspending fully its uranium enrichment related and reprocessing activities. This is of deep concern. With our international partners, we are now considering next steps.
	Iran will be discussed at the next IAEA Board of Governors meeting in Vienna, which will begin on 23 November.

Iran

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will make a statement on UK policy in dealing with Iran's nuclear plans.

Kim Howells: Iran's nuclear activities are of great concern. The nature of the Iranian programme, Iran's history of concealment and its continuing failure to co-operate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have intensified international concerns that the aims may not be, as Iran claims, entirely peaceful.
	Despite intense and prolonged efforts to encourage Iran to take the steps required by the IAEA Board of Governors and the UN Security Council, Iran has not done so. The most recent report by the IAEA Director-General, Dr. Mohammed El-Baradei, makes clear that Iran has not suspended its uranium enrichment-related and reprocessing activities. In Resolution 1696, adopted on 31 July, the Security Council made a full suspension mandatory on Iran.
	On 6 June, EU High Representative Javier Solana presented to Iran a set of far reaching proposals on behalf of the 'E3+3' (UK, France, Germany + China, Russia, US). These would give Iran everything it needs to develop a modern nuclear power industry, and other benefits, while addressing international concerns. We are disappointed that Iran has not taken the steps required to enable negotiations to begin.
	In Resolution 1696, the Security Council expressed its intention to take appropriate measures under Article 41 of the UN Charter—which might include sanctions—if Iran failed to comply. Together with our partners, we are presently considering next steps. The E3+3 proposals remain on the table, and if Iran meets the requirements of the IAEA Board and Security Council, we are prepared to suspend further activity in the Security Council. But if it does not, Iran should be in no doubt that the Security Council will respond.

Israel

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Minister for Trade's statement in the Westminster Hall Debate on Israel (War against Terror) of 4 July 2006,  Official Report, column 223WH, when the Minister for Trade will write to the hon. Member for Lichfield; and if he will include an answer on whether the political wing of Hezbollah will be proscribed.

Kim Howells: My right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Trade, Investment and Foreign Affairs, Ian McCartney, will write to the hon. Member for Lichfield shortly, and will include an answer to the question on Hezbollah.

Israel

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps diplomats at the UK Consulate-General in Jerusalem have taken since June 2005 to monitor conditions in the community of Jaggous.

Kim Howells: Our Consulate- General in Jerusalem continues to monitor developments in the west bank and Gaza, including in Jayyous, closely. The Consulate- General works closely with the UN and receives regular updates from non-governmental organisations who make field observations. In addition to this, the Consulate- General make their own visits to places in the west bank. We remain deeply concerned by the closure regime in the west bank, including the impact of the barrier. In Jayyous, as in many parts of the west bank, the route of the barrier has cut Palestinian farmers off from the land and transport of agricultural produce to west bank markets is hindered by tight Israeli closure policies.

Israel

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many occasions since June 2005 diplomats at the UK Consulate-General in Jerusalem have made representations to the Israeli government regarding conditions in the community of Jaggous.

Kim Howells: Our Consulate- General in Jerusalem has not made any representations to the Israeli government about the community in Jayyous, as they deal primarily with our bilateral relations with the Palestinian Authority. However, an official from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office last raised freedom of movement issues with the Israeli embassy in London on 4 October. Our embassy in Tel Aviv regularly raises these issues with the Israeli government. We have not raised the community of Jayyous specifically with the government of Israel.

Romania

Don Touhig: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what part the Department has played in helping to oversee the reform of child care as part of the conditions for the entry of Romania into the EU; and if she will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: The UK's operational assistance to Romania's reform process has been through a project run by the Department for International Development (DFID). DFID led the £1.8 million project to assist and support the Romanian Government and specifically the National Authority for Child Protection and Adoption (NACPA) in addressing the needs of children, particularly those in the care system. This ran from October 2000 to February 2005.
	Specific outputs of the project included:
	draft Children's Act prepared;
	adoption legislation passed and implemented;
	professional guidelines for implementation of new adoption laws in place and implemented;
	integrated child care policy developed and implemented; and
	support for the NACPA regarding human resources strategy and appropriate structures for discharging responsibilities.
	The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's part in assisting in the reform process has been through the proactive role played by our embassy in Bucharest in the following completed projects:
	 Mana Association Timisoara:
	Programme targeted at street children and children from dysfunctional families to improve social and interpersonal skills through art therapy (music, theatre and painting);
	 Catalysis Income Generation and Employment project:
	Project for 18-year-old children who are forced to leave the institutionalised care offered by the state, aiming to teach them professional and social skills (cooking, cleaning, housekeeping, etc.); and
	 Therapy through Art Association:
	Programme provided psycho-diagnosis and rehabilitation services to children with disabilities in a daily centre in Timisoara.
	The goal of EU membership has led to substantial reforms in children's rights in Romania, as the Commission's report of 26 September sets out. It is an area we have followed closely. My predecessor the right hon. Douglas Alexander MP raised the issue with the Romanian Government in a visit to Bucharest in February 2006. We are pleased to see Romania working hard to overcome this legacy from the Ceausescu era. We will continue to monitor the situation following accession.

Romania

Don Touhig: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the EU has taken to ensure that the Romanian child care system is functioning properly; and what funding the EU has made available for this.

Geoff Hoon: During the pre-accession phase, the EU has monitored Romania's implementation of the Copenhagen criteria. Romania is also bound to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, as well as the European Human Rights Convention.
	Since the mid 1990s, Romania has undertaken substantial reforms in the child protection field. In their 26 September report, the European Commission highlighted several examples of good progress, including closing large child care institutions, and judged that Romania has a system comparable to many other European member states.
	The EU has given around £160 million over the last 15 years to improve public care for children. With this help, the majority of the large residential orphanages have been closed down and replaced with better alternatives such as smaller homes or foster care. The EU has also supported a major public information campaign in Romania since 2001 to raise awareness of alternatives to the institutionalisation of children, and of the rights of children to proper care. Furthermore, an independent panel of EU family law experts was formed to assist the Romanian authorities in preparing their new legislation, which the Commission judge to be in line with UN principals.

Romania

Don Touhig: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations she has received from non-government organisations based in Romania responsible for childcare; and if she will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has received representations through correspondence from non-governmental organisations and charities to our Embassy in Bucharest and Mission to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. Most recently for example, we have been in dialogue with the Smiles Foundation. As well as maintaining regular dialogue with the Romanian authorities on the issue of children's rights, the Embassy has assisted in various projects to help with the process of reform.

Sir Michael Jay

Richard Bacon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cash equivalent transfer value was of the total accrued pension and related lump sum for Sir Michael Jay as at 31 March; and what this figure was on 28 July.

Geoff Hoon: As at 31 March 2006 the cash equivalent transfer value of Sir Michael Jay's accrued pension and lump sum was £141,819.
	On his last day of service, 18 August 2006, the value stood at £144,405. The increase was due to Sir Michael's 2006 pay award, paid from 1 April.
	Although Sir Michael stood down from his position as Permanent Under Secretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 28 July, his last day of service, after taking outstanding leave, was 18 August 2006.

South Africa

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations she has made to the South African Government on the Prohibition of Mercenary Activity and Prohibition and Regulation of Certain Activities in the Area of Armed Conflict Bill 2005 on behalf of South African nationals serving in the UK Armed Forces.

Kim Howells: Our high commissioner in Pretoria has made representations to the Government of South Africa on this matter on several occasions, including directly addressing the Defence Select Committee of the South African Parliament during the passage of legislation. My right hon. Friend the Minister without Portfolio and Party Chair (Hazel Blears), discussed the Mercenary Bill with South Africa's Deputy Foreign Minister during her visit to South Africa in August. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence expressed concern at the implications of the legislation for South African citizens serving in the British armed forces in a letter to South Africa's Defence Minister on 25 August.

Sudan

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what  (a) representations she has made and  (b) action she plans to take to gain the consent of the Sudanese Government for troops to be deployed to Darfur.

Kim Howells: The UK co-sponsored UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1706 which was adopted on 31 August. This mandated the deployment of a UN force to Darfur. Since then we have been actively working to build a broad international coalition to persuade President Bashir of the need to agree to a UN force for Darfur.
	My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary visited Egypt on 5 to 8 September, where she raised Darfur with President Mubarak, the Egyptian Foreign Minister and the Secretary-General of the Arab League.
	My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, then took the opportunity of meetings during the UN General Assembly ministerial week, 18 to 22 September, in New York to raise Darfur with a broad range of international partners who might be able to influence the Government of Sudan. These included the Foreign Ministers of Russia, China, Egypt, the US and numerous African countries, and also the Secretary-General of the UN. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary took a leading role in a meeting of 15 Foreign Ministers on the subject on 22 September. In all of these meetings Ministers stressed the paramount importance of persuading President Bashir to allow the deployment of a UN force for Darfur.
	Our missions overseas are lobbying their host Governments wherever we believe this may make a difference. We have kept in close touch with those visiting Khartoum, including European Commission President Barroso and Development Commissioner Michel, who met President Bashir on 30 September. We will go on maintaining pressure on the Government of Sudan and other parties in Khartoum to cease the armed attacks, implement the Darfur Peace Agreement, support bolstering the African Union force with UN support and accept a transition to a UN force. We encourage others to do the same.

Thailand

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions she has had with the Thai authorities about the murder of Kirsty Jones in 2000.

Kim Howells: My right hon. Friend the then Foreign Secretary (Mr. Straw) raised the murder of Kirsty Jons with the former Thai Minister for Foreign Affairs in February 2006.
	Our embassy in Bangkok continues to monitor the case closely and holds regular senior-level meetings with the Thai department of special investigations in order to update the Jones family on the investigation, most recently on 4 October 2006.

UN Resolution 1325

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will make a statement on the Government's progress in implementing  (a) United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 since its adoption in October 2000 and  (b) the Government's Action Plan on Resolution 1325.

Kim Howells: The UK has used it Presidencies of the UN Security Council to support the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325. Specific examples of UK activity include:
	UK officials actively seeking opportunities for appropriate references to gender concerns in all UN peacekeeping mandates—recent examples can be found in UN resolutions on peacekeeping operations in Liberia and Sudan;
	awareness raising events on various issues including mainstreaming gender throughout the Security Council's protection-based work, strengthening the UN's response to gender based violence in conflict and post conflict situations and the development of National Action Plans;
	providing financial support to the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO's) "Mainstreaming a Gender Perspective in Multi-dimensional Peace Operations" which involved the development of a 'virtual resource centre' for those involved in peace operations to draw on; and
	UK participation in a Joint Donor Review Mission to four UN Peacekeeping Missions to assess the effectiveness and impact of DPKO's gender work and to identify lessons learned and best practice.
	As part of our commitment to UNSCR 1325 the UK has developed a national action plan to support implementation of this important resolution. The action plan links humanitarian, conflict, defence and diplomacy work, all-important to conflict resolution and peace building. Recent examples of activity under the action plan include:
	Providing training to all desk officers in the UK Mission in New York to familiarise them with the provisions of UNSCR 1325 and to demonstrate concrete ways in which UNSCR 1325 can be incorporated into resolutions, reporting and peacekeeping mandates;
	a seminar at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for UK based staff aimed at raising their awareness of UNSCR 1325 and explain what the UK is doing to support its implementation and what can be done further;
	the Ministry of Defence is currently carrying out an audit of its Peace Support Operations training to ensure that it deals adequately with the areas covered by UNSCR 1325; and
	the Department for International Development has recently participated in a workshop organised by the United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) Bureau of Crisis Prevention and Recovery in support of UNDP's efforts to mainstream gender throughout their activities.
	The UK is also working closely with the non-governmental organisation Working Group on Women, Peace and Security in New York to support their "October Advocacy Programme" which will coincide with the sixth anniversary celebrations of UNSCR 1325. We are co-hosting a side event with the group and the Office of the Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women on the development of National Action Plans.
	The Global and Africa Conflict Prevention Pools and Global Opportunities Fund continue to provide the key UK funding mechanism for supporting women and conflict projects around the globe through its many strategies. For example, the Government have co-funded, through the Global Conflict Prevention Pool, a conference on peace and security: Implementing UNSCR 1325. The conference was held at Wilton Park between 30 May and 2 June 2006 and provided a forum for discussion on implementation of UNSCR 1325, drawing together policy makers and practitioners in order to find constructive ways forward.

Bingo Industry

Malcolm Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the likely impact of a smoking ban on the licensed bingo industry in England.

Caroline Flint: No specific assessment has been carried out of the potential impacts on the bingo industry of the smoke free provisions within the Health Act 2006. The overall costs and benefits of the Health Act are set out in the regulatory impact assessment which is available in the Library or on the Department's website at: www.dh.gov.uk/PublicationsAndStatistics/Legislation/RegulatoryImpactAssessment/RegulatoryImpactAssessmentArticle/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4121917&chk=sUauD/.

Birthing Units

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average cost was of an uncomplicated delivery in each birthing unit in Hampshire in the latest period for which figures are available.

Ivan Lewis: The specific information requested is not held centrally. However, the table gives the average cost of delivery healthcare resource groups (HRGs) for national health service trusts in Hampshire from 2004-2005.
	
		
			   Reference costs (£) 
			   Normal delivery without complications  Assisted delivery without complications  Caesarean Section without complications 
			 Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust 1,085 1,506 2,176 
			 Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust 551 1,147 1,138 
			 Winchester And Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust 830 1,051 1,751 
			 North Hampshire Hospitals NHS Trust 1,027 1,524 2,415

Chemical Reagents (Tariff Reduction)

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what basis 12 per cent. was decided to be an appropriate tariff reduction for chemical reagents in primary care; if she will publish the information that provided the evidential basis for that decision, including the range of existing prices in an anonymised form; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The market was informed on 5 September 2006 that Ministers had decided to implement a staged reduction of up to 15 per cent. to the April 2006 drug tariff reimbursement prices for some blood glucose detection strips.
	As of 1 October 2006, reimbursement prices for all affected products were reduced by 12 per cent.
	The decision in regard to the staged approach is a direct consequence of the consultation process and demonstrates clearly that the Department had regard to the responses received and was willing to adjust its proposals accordingly. The final decision aims to recognise the existing services that are provided by suppliers to the benefit of patient care, while at the same time moving to secure better value for money for the national health service overall.
	In arriving at the 15 per cent., three sources of information were used: secondary care purchase data, additional secondary care tender data, and information concerning the industry's cost and revenue structures.
	In addition, it was in fact clear from both consultation papers on the arrangements for the provision of chemical reagents to primary care in October 2005 and May 2006:
	that the 15 per cent. figure was an average derived from a comparison between prices in the primary and secondary care markets;
	that the rationale underlying the comparison was that prices in primary care should more closely reflect the market-tested prices available in secondary care; and
	that the price differential between the markets went as high as 35 per cent. and that the reduction proposed was therefore reasonable in the context of the overall range of pricing that the data suggested was reflective of the more competitive environment.
	The data underlying these calculations was given to the Department in confidence, and related to commercially confidential transactions within the NHS. In a market for items manufactured by only seven companies, four of whom collectively account for 97 per cent. of sales, it would not be feasible to publish data in any meaningful form without—whether on its face value or by obvious implication that would be evident to companies in that market—revealing to each manufacturer something about its competitors' pricing.

Neurological Conditions

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what steps her Department is taking to encourage the recruitment of  (a) consultant neurologists,  (b) specialist nurses and  (c) other staff required to implement the national service framework for long-term neurological conditions;
	(2)  what steps are being taken to develop joint working on the implementation of the National Service Framework for Long Term Neurological Conditions and the Long Term Conditions Strategy; and if she will make a statement;

Rosie Winterton: The role of primary care trusts (PCT) to work jointly with local authorities, and other local partners, to develop and deliver local area agreements (LAAs) for their area has been set out in successive Government guidance on national health service local delivery plans and in correspondence to strategic health authorities.
	LAAs have proved an important catalyst for improved partnership working. Many of the pilot areas have reported a step change in effective partnership and cross-agency planning and working, particularly between the PCT and the local authority in the way services are commissioned - this has contributed to strong performance in outcomes, including implementation of the national service framework (NSF) for long-term conditions and the long-term conditions strategy as detailed in 'Supporting People with Long-term Conditions'.
	Local employers are responsible for recruiting and retaining the health and social care workforce they need to provide local services. The national strategies and tools are already in place to support trusts to recruit and retain staff, promote training and development and redesign their workforces to implement the NSF over the 10-year timescale.

NHS Isolation Facilities

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS hospital trusts have undertaken a risk assessment of their isolation facilities in the last 12 months; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The Department has issued 'Health Service Circular 2000/02', "The Management and Control of Hospital Infection", which requires national health service hospital trusts to undertake a risk assessment to determine appropriate provision of isolation facilities within each trust.
	The information on how many trusts undertake a risk assessment of their isolation facilities is not collected centrally.

Waiting Lists

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of cancer patients have been waiting longer than four weeks for radiotherapy.

Rosie Winterton: Data on waiting times for radiotherapy are not collected centrally. The national health service cancer plan set out maximum waiting time targets for cancer treatment which may include radiotherapy where this is given as a first definitive treatment. Since December 2005 there has been a maximum two month (62 day) wait from urgent referral by a GP to start of treatment, and a maximum one-month (31 day) wait from diagnosis to first treatment for all cancers. Over 99 per cent., of patients currently receive their first treatment within 31 days of diagnosis, and 94.5 per cent., of patients receive their first treatment within 62 days of an urgent GP referral.
	To tackle radiotherapy waiting times we are increasing the numbers of therapy radiographers in post and in training, making better use of existing staff, making unprecedented investment in new radiotherapy equipment, and streamlining the patient journey. Prof. Mike Richards, the National Cancer Director, is also currently working with Royal Colleges, professional bodies, cancer networks and trusts through the national radiotherapy advisory group (NRAG) who are looking into radiotherapy provision and will be reporting in the autumn on recommendations for the future.

Waiting Lists

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were on NHS waiting lists per 100,000 population in each year since 1997.

Andy Burnham: The information requested is shown in the table
	
		
			  Inpatient waiting list per 100,000 of the population (England, commissioner based) 
			   Period ending  In-patient waiting list  Mid-year estimate population (Thousand)  Waiting list per 100,000 population 
			 1996-07 March 1997 1,131,201 48,665 2,324 
			 1997-08 March 1998 1,276,965 48,821 2,616 
			 1998-09 March 1999 1,060,356 49,033 2,163 
			 1999-2000 March 2000 1,024,654 49,233 2,081 
			 2000-01 March 2001 995,123 49,450 2,012 
			 2001-02 March 2002 1,021,604 49,647 2,058 
			 2002-03 March 2003 975,338 49,856 1,956 
			 2003-04 March 2004 890,205 50,093 1,777 
			 2004-05 March 2005 808,810 50,432 1,604 
			 2005-06 March 2006 771,107 50,432 1,529 
			 2006-07 August 2006 759,136 50,432 1,505 
			  Note:  Population data for 2006 not available—2005 population figure is used as an estimate.   Source:  Department of Health QF01, ONS populations

Waiting Lists

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients waited more than  (a) three,  (b) six,  (c) nine,  (d) 12,  (e) 15,  (f) 18 and  (g) 24 months for (i) heart operations, (ii) cancer treatment and (iii) hip replacements in (A) 1997 and (B) 1998, broken down by NHS trust.

Andy Burnham: Data on waiting times for trauma and orthopaedics, and cardiothoracic surgery have been placed in the Library.
	Cancer waiting times data are not available for 1997-98. Breast cancer waiting times targets of one month from diagnosis to first treatment was introduced in 2001 and a target of two months from urgent referral to first treatment was introduced in 2002. These targets were extended to all cancer patients from December 2005.

Cannabis

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what volume of cannabis was confiscated in each year between 2002 and 2005.

Vernon Coaker: The amounts seized in England and Wales, and in Scotland, in the years for which figures are available are set out in the attached table.
	
		
			  Quantity of Cannabis Seized in England and Wales  2002 -05 
			   2002  2003  2004  2005 
			 Herbal (Kgs) 34,870 29,520 21,380 n/a 
			 Plants (Number) 52,140 80,500 88,670 n/a 
			 Resin (Kgs) 41,410 69,030 62,060 n/a 
			 n/a = not available. Source: Seizure of Drugs England and Wales 2004. Home Office Statistical Bulletin 08-06. 
		
	
	
		
			  Quantity of Cannabis Seized in Scotland 2002 - 05 
			   2002  2003  2004  2005 
			 Herbal (Kgs) 34,870 29,520 n/a n/a 
			 Plants (Number) 52,140 80,500 n/a n/a 
			 Resin (Kgs) 41,410 69,030 n/a n/a 
			 n/a = not available Source: Drug Offenders. Home Office Findings 256 3/05.

Class A Drugs

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to reduce demand for opium derivatives originating from Afghanistan in this country.

Vernon Coaker: The Government have a comprehensive strategy to reduce the demand for illegal drugs and their supply, from whatever source. The National Drug Strategy is a cross-Government programme of policies and interventions that concentrate on the most dangerous drugs, particularly heroin and cocaine, the most damaged communities and problematic drug users. The strategy comprises four strands of work:
	preventing young people from becoming drug misusers;
	reducing the supply of illegal drugs;
	increasing the number of individuals accessing effective drug treatment; and
	reducing drug-related crime.
	The Drug Strategy is delivering tangible improvements in communities across the country. Increasing quantities of drugs are being seized and organised crime groups and dealers disrupted. Record numbers are entering and staying in treatment: the numbers in contact with treatment services. Drug-related crime is falling. Class A drug use remains stable among young people aged 16-24, while the use of any illicit drug has fallen by 21 per cent. compared to 1998.

Crime (Milton Keynes)

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are being taken to reduce the number of alcohol-related offences in Milton Keynes.

Vernon Coaker: Thames Valley police is working with trading standards, fire services, environmental services and other relevant bodies to reduce the number of alcohol related offences. Milton Keynes' Basic Command Unit has taken part in Alcohol Misuse Enforcement Campaigns since the summer of 2004. These campaigns target irresponsible retailers who sell alcohol to drunks and children, as well as individuals who drink irresponsibly and cause alcohol-related crime and disorder. The tactics used in these campaigns include intelligence-led targeting of premises in joint police and Trading Standards 'test-purchasing operations,' as well as early intervention to deal with low level crime and disorder, by robust use of penalty notice for disorder fines. The Government continues to encourage all Basic Command Units to incorporate the tactics used in these campaigns as part of their core business.

Drink-driving

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been found guilty of driving while intoxicated within London's City and Metropolitan police areas in each of the last five years.

Vernon Coaker: Information taken from the court proceedings database held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform on findings of guilt for offences of driving etc after consuming alcohol or taking drugs, from 2000 to 2004 (latest available) is given in the following table. The majority of convictions within this offence group are for the offence of 'driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle while having a breath, urine or blood alcohol concentration in excess of the prescribed limit [Road Traffic Act 1988,s. five (1) (a)]'.
	Data for 2005 will be available early in 2007.
	
		
			  Findings of guilt at all courts for offences of driving etc after consuming alcohol or taking drugs( 1) , City of London and Metropolitan police force areas—2000-04 
			  Number of offences 
			  Police force  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004( 2) 
			 City of London police 162 162 221 230 169 
			 Metropolitan police 11,801 11,260 12,905 12,621 13,227 
			 (1 )Including the following offences under the Road Traffic Act 1988: Driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle whilst unfit through drink or drugs (impairment), [s. 4(1)]  Driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle while having a breath, urine or blood alcohol concentration in excess of the prescribed limit. [ s. 5 (1) (a) ]  Failing without reasonable excuse to provide a specimen for a laboratory test or two specimens for analysis of breath if at the relevant time, he/she was driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle. [ s. 7 (6) ]  In charge of a motor vehicle while unfit through drink or drugs (impairment). [ s. 4 (2) ] In charge of a motor vehicle while having a breath, urine or blood alcohol concentration in excess of the prescribed limit. [ s. 5 (1) (b) ]  In charge of a motor vehicle and failing to provide a specimen for a laboratory test or two specimens for analysis of breath if at the relevant time, he/she was driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle. [ s. 7 (6) ]  Failing without reasonable excuse to provide a specimen of breath for a preliminary test. [ s. 6 (4) ]  Excluding offences under the Road Traffic Act 1988 s. 3A: Causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs. (2) From 2004 onwards the courts were asked to identify separately drink and drugs offences, under s. 4 (1) and s. 4 (2) of the RTA88, where this information was clearly evident. In 2004 most courts continued to record as combined drink/drugs offences.   Note:  Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.

Internet (Terrorism)

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he plans to bring in legislation requiring internet service providers and search engines to censor information deemed to promote incitement to terrorism or the financing of terrorism; and if he will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: Section 3 of the Terrorism Act 2006, explicitly extends the application of sections 1 and 2 —encouragement of terrorism and dissemination of terrorist publication—to internet activity. Section 3 of the Act requires the relevant person to take-down material on the internet or other electronic services that is unlawfully terrorism-related.
	As with all forms of terrorist legislation, the Government review its effectiveness and their ease of enforcement as and when it is needed.

Organised Crime Consultation

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which individuals and organisations have been consulted in relation to the consultation New Powers Against Organised and Financial Crime; and what progress has been made with the consultation.

Vernon Coaker: The organisations consulted during the development of the recent green paper 'New Powers Against Organised and Financial Crime' are outlined in Annex B of that publication. Comments on the paper are invited by 17 October 2006 and I would encourage any interested individual or organisation to submit their views before this date.
	The Home Office plan to publish a summary of the consultation responses in November 2006.

Pharmaceuticals

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his letter to the hon. Member for South-East Cambridgeshire (Mr. Paice) of 10 July 2006 on Home Office interpretation of the United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961, what assessment he has made of the extent to which his Department's policy on the importation of narcotic drugs for medicinal use is consistent with  (a) the judgment of the European Court of Justice (61993J0324) in The Queen  v. Secretary of State for Home Department, ex parte Evans Medical Ltd and Macfarlan Smith Ltd of 28 March 1995 and  (b) recommendations given by the Office of Fair Trading in March 2006 in document OFT834; and if he will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: holding answer 9 October 2006
	I am satisfied that the importation policy for such drugs is lawful in all respects. The Government's response to the OFT Report on Opium Derivatives confirms that position.

Prisons

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether prisoners who work in the community and earn wages make any contribution towards their upkeep in prison.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Current legislation prevents prisoners being required to finance the cost of their prison sentence. The Prison Act 1952, section 51, requires that all expenses incurred in maintaining both prisons and prisoners, must be met from public funds.

Prisons (Compensation Claims)

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many compensation claims were made by prisoners against prison authorities in each of the last five years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: From the figures available centrally, prisoners, in public sector prisons in 2004-05, submitted 975 compensation claims. A further 975 claims were received in 2005-06. Data prior to this is unreliable as systems were not in place to co-ordinate litigation centrally. Litigation in private sector prisons is a matter for the individual contractor

Remand Prisoners

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many prisoners are currently being held on remand;
	(2)  for what offences prisoners have been held on remand in the last 12 months, broken down by number of prisoners held.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The number of prisoners held on remand in England and Wales on 31 August 2006 was 13,301. Information on the numbers of prisoners in England and Wales over the last 12 months, including offence types, can be found at: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/omcsa.html.
	The figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system, and although shown to the last individual the figure may not be accurate to that level.

Under-age Drinking

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions of retailers there have been in each of the past 10 years for selling alcohol to underage customers.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Information from the Court Proceedings Database held by the Office for criminal Justice Reform showing the number of retailers prosecuted of selling alcohol to minors is shown in the following table. Figures for 2005 will be available in November 2006.
	The offence of sale of alcohol to a person under 18 can attract a penalty notice for disorder (PND). The offence was added to the PND scheme on 1 November 2004, and there were 113 Penalty Notices issued for the offence in November and December of that year. Provisional data for 2005 shows that a further 2,009 penalty notices were issued for the offence in 2005.
	
		
			  Number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts for selling alcohol to underage customers, England and Wales 1995-2004( 1,2) 
			  Offence description  Principal statute  Year  Proceeded against 
			 Selling etc intoxicating liquor to person under 18 for consumption on the premises Licensing Act 1964 S.169 A & B as added by Licensing (Young Persons) Act 2000 S.1 1995 198 
			   1996 251 
			   1997 214 
			   1998 310 
			   1999 204 
			   2000 130 
			   2001 155 
			   2002 168 
			   2003 604 
			   2004 836 
			 Wholesaler selling intoxicating liquor to a person under 18 Licensing Act 1964 S.181 A(1) as added by Licensing Act 1 988 S.1 7 1995 — 
			   1996 — 
			   1997 1 
			   1998 1 
			   1999 1 
			   2000 2 
			   2001 3 
			   2002 2 
			   2003 12 
			   2004 5 
			 (1) These data are provided on the principal offence basis.(2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the police forces and courts. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.   Source:  RDS—Office for Criminal Justice Reform

Timber Sourcing

Elliot Morley: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what steps he is taking to investigate claims plywood sourced from illegal logging was used in the refurbishment of Westminster Hall.

Nick Harvey: Parliamentary Works Services (PWSD) have investigated these claims. The initial investigation centred on the specification used during the tendering process for the Press Gallery refurbishment project and in particular the plywood used on protection and temporary works.
	Is a clear and established policy on the parliamentary estate that all wood used during refurbishment or construction work must come from a sustainable source. This rule applies equally to permanent use such as panelling, furniture and temporary usage as protective sheeting and temporary buildings. It was confirmed that the standard specification regarding sustainability was used in this contract. The key wording from this specification is "it is the employer's policy to purchase only timber and timber products from sustainable managed sources". Further investigation also confirmed that the more detailed architects specification was also very specific in specifying that
	"timber based products are sourced from sustainable managed forests controlled by a National Forest Certification Scheme assessed and recognised by the Pan European Forest Certification Council".
	It was also confirmed that the timber supplier is FSC accredited.
	Following further investigation it was established that the contractors original order for timber for the project included the words "in accordance with the specification". However, further call off requests based on the original order contained no such wording. It is from these orders that the supplier delivered un-certified plywood to the Press Gallery project. The delivery of the un-certified plywood was the result of human error rather than a lack of a suitable specification.
	Measures have been put in place to ensure that this situation does not reoccur.

Civil Society Challenge Fund

Chris McCafferty: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his Department's expenditure to sexual and reproductive health non-governmental organisations through the Civil Society Challenge Fund was in 2005-06.

Gareth Thomas: We are currently finalising this year's "Statistics for International Development". It will be published on 26 October 2006 and expenditure figures for DFID bilateral assistance provided in advance are provisional.
	We can therefore provisionally advise that DFID expenditure for sexual and reproductive health (inc HIV and AIDS) to non-governmental organisations through the Civil Society Challenge Fund was £1.8 million in financial year 2005-06.

Departmental Expenditure

Chris McCafferty: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his Department's total expenditure to  (a) UNFPA,  (b) WHO,  (c) UNICEF,  (d) UNAIDS,  (e) the International Planned Parenthood Federation,  (f) Marie Stopes International and  (g) Interact Worldwide was in 2005-06.

Gareth Thomas: Expenditure figures for UNFPA, WHO, UNICEF, UNAIDS, during 2005-06 are not available yet. They are being finalised and will be published in this year's Statistics for International Development report on 26 October; I will write to my hon. Friend then.
	Final expenditure figures to non-governmental organisations will also be included in Statistics for International Development. Provisional figures are as follows:
	Marie Stopes International—£716,696
	Interact Worldwide—£580,972
	No funds were provided to International Planned Parenthood Federation during the financial year 2005-06 though the 2005 core unrestricted contribution of £6.0 million was paid in March 2005 against the financial year 2004-05.

Human Reproduction Programme

Chris McCafferty: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his Department's contribution to the Human Reproduction Programme in the World Health Organisation was in 2005-06.

Gareth Thomas: The expenditure figures for DFID's funding to the Human Reproduction Programme (HRP) in the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2005-06 will be available once Statistics on International Development are published on 26 October 2006. I will write to my hon. Friend then.
	DFID also provided core funding to WHO in 2005-06 and HRP received a proportion of this institutional funding.

Sexual and Reproductive Health

Chris McCafferty: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his Department's aid to sexual and reproductive health and rights research was in 2005-06.

Gareth Thomas: DFID funds two bilateral research programmes with an explicit focus on sexual and reproductive health, including rights: "Improving Sexual and Reproductive Health for Poor and Vulnerable Populations" and "Capacity Building in Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV in Developing Countries". In 2005-06 the provisional expenditure for these two programmes amounted to over £0.5 million, of a five-year total commitment of £5 million (from 2005 to 2010). These figures are provisional subject to publication of Statistics on International Development on 26 October 2006.
	DFID also supports a range of other bilateral research programmes that cover aspects of sexual and reproductive health and rights, as part of research focused on HIV and AIDS, sexually transmitted infections or health systems. It is difficult to disaggregate funding to these programmes for sexual and reproductive health and rights specifically; however overall provisional contributions to these programmes in 2005-06 were:
	Knowledge Programme on HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections (biomedical research): £0.54 million
	Knowledge for Action—the HIV/AIDS and STI Knowledge Programme (political and economic research): £0.38 million
	Consortium on Research for Equitable Health Systems: £0.28 million
	Future Health Systems: Making Health Systems Work for the Poor: £0.41 million
	Strategic research to achieve MDGs for mothers and infants: £0.29 million
	Effective Health Care Alliance Programme: £0.59 million
	In addition, DFID supports four multilateral research programmes that broadly cover aspects of sexual and reproductive health and rights in their research portfolios. These are listed and the contributions that DFID provided to these programmes in 2005-06 will be available once Statistics on International Development is published in October:
	UNDP/World Bank/UNFPA/WHO Human Reproduction Programme
	Microbicide Development Programme
	International Partnership for Microbicides
	Initiative on Maternal Mortality Programme Assessment

Human Trafficking

Andrew Pelling: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what funding has been allocated to the Poppy Project to identify refuges for women rescued from human trafficking.

Meg Munn: The Government have been funding Eaves Housing for Women/the POPPY scheme since March 2003 to provide safe shelter and support for adult female victims who have been trafficked into prostitution in the UK. To date, over 100 women have been supported whilst they recover from their ordeal and prepare to return safely to their communities.
	This year the Home Office has entered into a two-year, £2.4 million funding agreement with Eaves Housing for Women to:
	continue the existing crisis provision service at the POPPY project for up to 25 women;
	provide 10 additional regional "step-down" places to help women live semi-independently with less intensive support;
	introduce the first ever specialist national outreach service in the UK for victims trafficked into sexual exploitation; and
	develop a resource/information pack for victims, service providers and law enforcement agency staff.
	In addition, the UK Human Trafficking Centre (UKHTC), which was launched on 3 October, intends to continue to provide the victim-centred approach delivered by Operation Pentameter, where forces were asked to scope and procure local support services for victims and develop local partnerships with appropriate service providers.

Child Benefit

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make representations for a contact/oversight facility in Northern Ireland for hon. Members dealing with child benefit queries from their constituents.

Dawn Primarolo: I have been asked to reply.
	I can assure the hon. Member as well as other hon. Members representing Northern Ireland constituencies that any concerns they raise about their constituents' child benefit payments will continue to be treated with the same high priority as those of other Members of this House.

Sewell Convention Report

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made with the Government's response to the report of the Scottish Affairs Committee The Sewel Convention: the Westminster Perspective.

Douglas Alexander: The Government submitted their response to the Scottish Affairs Committee report on the Sewel Convention: the Westminster Perspective on 20 July 2006.

Bailiffs

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many complaints were received by his Department in relation to the methods used and conduct of bailiffs and other debt collectors in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

Ian McCartney: The Department for Constitutional Affairs has responsibility for bailiffs and complaints would be directed to them.
	Debt collectors have to be licensed by the Office of Fair Trading to collect debts under consumer credit agreements and the OFT issued trading practices guidance for them in 2003. The OFT has received the following number of complaints about debt collectors for the last three financial years:
	
		
			   Number of complaints 
			 2003-04 (1)346 
			 2004-05 1,079 
			 2005-06 1,760 
			 (1 )Approximate. 
		
	
	As a result of complaints, and other sources of information, the OFT has issued the following number of letters to debt collectors in the last three financial years reminding them of their responsibilities and warning them about their future conduct where there appears to be a breach of OFT Guidance:
	
		
			   Number of letters issued 
			 2003-04 33 
			 2004-05 50 
			 2005-06 42

Bank Charges

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to limit penalty charges imposed by banks when a customer exceeds overdraft limits or a direct debit or cheque are returned.

Ian McCartney: The OFT have been looking at the question of penalty charges in respect of credit cards and have stated that they believed that such charges had been generally set at a significantly higher level than was considered fair and set a £12 threshold for OFT intervention unless there were exceptional business factors.
	The OFT is of the view that the broad principles do read across to the retail banking area and has decided to undertake further work on the application of these principles to bank current accounts. This fact-finding exercise is expected to take between three to six months, at which stage the OFT will consider whether a further detailed investigation of the fairness of individual bank default charges is needed.

Bank Charges

James McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the Government plan to take action against banks that make excess charges for customers becoming overdrawn.

Ian McCartney: holding answer 9 October 2006
	The OFT have been looking at the question of penalty charges in respect of credit cards and have stated that they believed that such charges had been generally set at a significantly higher level than was considered fair and set a £12 threshold for OFT intervention unless there were exceptional business factors.
	The OFT is of the view that the broad principles do read across to the retail banking area and has decided to undertake further work on the application of these principles to bank current accounts. This fact-finding exercise is expected to take between three to six months, at which stage the OFT will consider whether a further detailed investigation of the fairness of individual bank default charges is needed.

Business Start-up Assistance

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many new business start-ups there were per 10,000 head of population in each year since 1997.

Margaret Hodge: Value added tax (VAT) registrations and de-registrations are the best official guide to the pattern of business start-ups and closures. DTI data on the number of VAT registrations in the UK in each year from 1997 to 2004 are shown in the table. These are shown per 10,000 head of resident adult population (those aged 16 and above). The number of de-registrations and end of year stock of VAT registered businesses per 10,000 head of resident adult population are also given. Data for 2005 will be available autumn 2006.
	VAT registrations per 10,000 head of resident adult population remained roughly constant between 1997 and 2004, with a degree of fluctuation from year to year. However, the stock of VAT registered businesses per 10,000 population rose by approximately 5 per cent. over this period.
	The actual stock of VAT registered businesses from the end of 1997 to the end of 2004 is shown in the following table. In total, the number of VAT registered businesses has risen by over 150,000 since 1997.
	
		
			  UK stock of VAT registered businesses, 1997-2004 
			   Total end-year stock 
			 1997 1,667,310 
			 1998 1,705,050 
			 1999 1,733,160 
			 2000 1,758,455 
			 2001 1,775,835 
			 2002 1,796,335 
			 2003 1,817,820 
			 2004 1,819,870 
			  Source:Business Start-ups and Closures: VAT Registrations and De-registrations 1994-2004, Small Business Service, available from the Library of the House and also at http://www.sbs.gov.uk/vats. 
		
	
	
		
			  UK VAT registrations and end year stock of registered businesses per 10,000 resident adult (16+) population, 1997-2004 
			   Registrations per 10,000 population  End-year stock per 10,000 population 
			 1997 39 360 
			 1998 39 367 
			 1999 38 371 
			 2000 38 375 
			 2001 36 376 
			 2002 37 378 
			 2003 40 380 
			 2004 38 378 
			  Note:Population data obtained from Office for National Statistics, General Register Office for Scotland, Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency. Source:Business Start-ups and Closures: VAT Registrations and De-registrations 1994-2004, Small Business Service, available from the Library of the House and also at http://www.sbs.gov.uk/vats. 
		
	
	VAT registration and de-registration data do not capture all business activity. Businesses are unlikely to be registered if their turnover falls below the compulsory VAT threshold, which has risen in each year since 1997. Similarly, businesses that de-register will not necessarily have closed. Only 1.8 million out of 4.3 million businesses (42 per cent.) were registered for VAT at the start of 2005.

Productivity

Andrew Pelling: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures he is taking to improve the UK's position in comparative tables of productivity compared with other European countries and the USA.

Ian McCartney: The DTI has a joint public service agreement (PSA) target with HM Treasury that commits the Department to raising the rate of UK productivity growth over the economic cycle, improving competitiveness and narrowing the gap with the UK's major industrial competitors.
	In order to improve the UK's comparative position on productivity, the Government have established a policy framework, based on a sound evidence base, which centres the long-term goals around:
	Maintaining macroeconomic stability to allow firms and individuals the certainty they need to invest for the future; and
	Implementing microeconomic reforms to remove the barriers that prevent markets from functioning efficiently.
	The framework identifies five key drivers of productivity—enterprise, competition, innovation, investment and skills—and there is a wide spectrum of policies that work through and across these. For example, there are measures to promote enterprise such as reducing financing constraints for small businesses as well as supporting a strong competition framework through, for example, increasing the powers of the Office of Fair Trading to promote consumer interests.
	For more detail of the policies and of the UK's progress, please refer to the joint DTI/HMT paper "Productivity in the UK 6: Progress and new evidence", which was published alongside Budget 2006 and the "UK Productivity and Competitiveness Indicators 2006" (DTI Economic Paper No. 17, March 2006); copies of which are held in the Libraries of the House.

Climate Change

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what procedures he follows to ensure that climate-change impacts are considered before new infrastructure plans are considered.

Gillian Merron: The Department's appraisal framework, and its value for money guidance, ensures that changes in greenhouse gases are taken into account in a consistent way when reaching a view on the value for money of proposals. Details of the New Approach to Appraisal (NATA) guidance and the value for money guidance can be found on the internet at the following addresses:
	www.webTAG.org.uk and
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_control/documents/contentservertemplate/dft_index.hcst?n=12577&l=2

Ministerial Journeys

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 25 July 2006,  Official Report, column 1299W, on ministerial journeys, how many of the journeys were made by  (a) train,  (b) bus and  (c) aeroplane; and what the total distance travelled was in each year on public transport.

Gillian Merron: The breakdown of the journeys between rail and air is as follows:
	
		
			   Rail  Air 
			 2002-03 25 5 
			 2003-04 34 29 
			 2004-05 31 24 
			 2005-06 35 27 
			 2006-07 (to 5 July 2006) 7 4 
		
	
	No information is available on short journeys which may have been made using other modes of public transport during the course of ministerial visits, neither are there any records of the actual distance covered in undertaking each ministerial journey or of the time taken.
	All ministerial travel is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code and "Travel by Ministers", copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.

Road Safety

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many road accidents there were in each year since 1997 in which one of the drivers involved had  (a) consumed an illegal volume of alcohol,  (b) taken illegal drugs,  (c) was driving above the speed limit and  (d) was using a mobile phone; and how many of these accidents resulted in (i) a fatality, (ii) serious injury or (iii) slight injury.

Stephen Ladyman: It is not possible to identify which drivers involved in personal injury road traffic injury accidents reported to the police had taken illegal drugs.
	An article on drinking and driving, including the information requested, was published in "Road Casualties Great Britain: 2005" published 28 September 2006.
	On the same date the Department also published an article on contributory factors to road accidents which identifies where 'exceeding the speed limit' and 'driver using mobile phone' were contributory factors to the accident. These data are only available from 2005.
	Copies of the "Road Casualties Great Britain: 2005" and the article "Contributory factors to road accidents" have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Alternative Investment Market

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government plans to change the regulatory regime for the Alternative Investment Market.

Edward Balls: The Government have no plans to introduce legislation specifically aimed at changing the regulatory regime for the Alternative Investment Market. However, there are two main plans for legislation which will change the overall regulatory regime affecting recognised investment exchanges which will have an impact on the regulatory regime for the Alternative Investment Market.
	First, as I announced on 13 September, the Government plan to legislate to give the FSA a power of veto over regulatory requirements imposed by recognised investment exchanges where these are disproportionate. This will include regulatory requirements imposed in relation to the Alternative Investment Market.
	Second, the Government are required to make legislative changes to implement the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID—Directive 2004/39/2004) by 31 January 2007. MiFID implementation will change the obligations on recognised investment exchanges in respect of the markets they run. Under the directive, it is likely that the Alternative Investment Market will be classified as a multilateral trading facility (MTF). The main obligations that an investment exchange running an MTF will have to comply with under MiFID are to be found in articles 14, 26, 29 and 30 of the directive. These are similar to existing UK regulatory obligations and will not fundamentally change the regulatory regime for the Alternative Investment Market.

Child Benefit

Justine Greening: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent estimate he has made of the take-up rate for child benefit.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Lady to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for North Tyneside on 7 March 2006,  Official Report, column 1296W.

Child Benefit

Justine Greening: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people received child benefit in each of the last five years; how much was paid in child benefit in each year; and how much was spent on the administration of the benefit in each year, broken down by  (a) employee costs,  (b) IS/IT costs and  (c) other costs.

Dawn Primarolo: The following table shows the number of people who received child benefit, and how much was paid in the benefit in each of the last five years.
	For total administration costs of the benefit I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak on 30 March 2006,  Official Report, column 1111W. A breakdown of the administration cost is not separately available.
	
		
			   Average number of claimants (Thousand)  Expenditure (£ Million) 
			 2001-02 7,272 9,100 
			 2002-03 7,272 9,255 
			 2003-04 7,274 9,425 
			 2004-05 7,275 9,592 
			 2005-06 7,298 9,769

Equity Release Schemes

John Pugh: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment his Department has made of the effects of equity release schemes on pensioner income.

Edward Balls: The Treasury has made no such assessment.
	However, Chapter 5 of The First Report of the Pension Commission, published in 2004, examined the role of non-pension saving and housing wealth and the part that they might play in meeting pensioner needs.
	Data is available on pensioner incomes in "The Pensioners' Incomes Series 2004-05" published by the Department of Work and Pensions in March 2006.

Freight Computer System

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost is of HM Revenue and Customs extending its service helping importers and exporters to apply information to the custom handling import and freight computer system; and how many staff are employed in providing this service.

Dawn Primarolo: HMRC is in the process of going to open tender for the running of the current Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF)
	system contract between 2010 and 2015. Work will commence in 2008 on the actual replacement of the CHIEF service, to be completed by 2015. The EU Programme of Change MASP) will be delivered mainly on CHIEF and HMRC will be working in partnership with Business Link, who are part of the Department of Trade and Industry, to explore the opportunities available for extending current services. This will be done as part of the International Trade Single Window initiative. Preparatory work is ongoing and it is not therefore possible to provide accurate costs for updating CHIEF services at this time. There are currently 12 HMRC staff engaged in the maintenance of the CHIEF service and four technicians engaged in the maintenance of existing links.

Game Birds

Mike Hancock: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to apply standard rate VAT to game birds which are bred for sport; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: VAT zero-rating applies to live animals of a kind generally used as, or used to produce, food for human consumption. The scope of the relief is therefore defined by the type of animal concerned and whether it can be considered to be food according to the ordinary and every day meaning of the word. Game birds are therefore zero-rated.
	Basing the VAT treatment on the reason for purchase, or the final use, of the animal would be difficult to administer and create significant complexities for both business and HM Revenue and Customs. While the Government keeps all taxes under review, there are no current plans to alter the VAT treatment of game birds.

Guardian's Allowance

Justine Greening: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people have received guardian's allowance in each of the last five years; how much was paid in guardian's allowance in each year; and how much was spent on the administration of the allowance in each year, broken down by  (a) employee costs,  (b) IS/IT costs and  (c) other costs.

Dawn Primarolo: The following table shows the number of people who received Guardian's Allowance, and how much was paid in the allowance in each of the last five years. The administration cost of the allowance is not separately available.
	
		
			   Average number of claimants (Thousand)  Expenditure (£ million) 
			 2001-02 2.2 2 
			 2002-03 2.5 2 
			 2003-04 2.6 2 
			 2004-05 2.8 2 
			 2005-06 2.8 2

Illegal Imports

Roger Williams: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures his Department has taken to increase the detection and seizure of illegal imports of animal products in the last 12 months.

Dawn Primarolo: HM Revenue and Customs continues to target traffic from high disease risk source countries on the basis of risk assessment and intelligence. In the last 12 months they have taken a number of additional measures in response to the threat posed by the spread of H5N1 avian influenza. HMRC stepped up the level of checks at ports, airports and postal services to target traffic from countries reporting H5N1 infection, doubling the resources deployed on detection of illegal animal products. They have revised their targeting to direct efforts at traffic from those states, including mounting intensive exercises on passenger, freight and postal traffic from specific countries.

Pension Providers

Mark Hunter: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps are being taken to reduce the time taken by HM Revenue and Customs to supply pension provider companies with information needed to make payments to clients; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The tax rules governing registered pension schemes are set out in Part 4 Finance Act 2004. Guidance is also available on the HMRC website. Together these should give pension companies the information they need to make payments to clients.

State Pensions

Philip Hammond: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the implications for tax revenue in each year from 2012-13 of reforms to state pensions proposed in the Pensions White Paper, Security in Retirement: Towards a New Pension System assuming no impact on employment rates amongst older workers or on private savings; and what his estimate is of the likely impact on (i) employment rates among older workers and (ii) on private savings.

Edward Balls: The Long-Term Public Finance Report provides a comprehensive analysis of fiscal sustainability. On the basis of current policies, the analysis provides long-term projections of tax revenue and spending that take into account projections of employment rates. An updated analysis will be provided at the time of this year's Pre-Budget Report.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many referrals have been made to the Tax Credit National Intelligence Analysis Team in each month since April 2003; and what proportion have  (a) been investigated,  (b) been prosecuted and  (c) led to a conviction;
	(2)  what the administrative cost was of the Tax Credit National Intelligence Analysis Team in each year since 2003-04 and to date;
	(3)  what targets exist for the Tax Credit National Intelligence Analysis Team; and what performance the team has achieved against these targets since 2003.

Dawn Primarolo: Referrals where it is suspected that a claim for tax credits may be wrong or fraudulent can be received by HMRC from a variety of sources. HMRC look at all the information provided and determine whether a compliance intervention is appropriate. The National Audit Office Standard Report 2005-06 gives details of the number of instances where HMRC made compliance interventions on tax credit claims and also the number of prosecutions and convictions that HMRC brought. It is not possible to say how many of these were because of referrals without incurring disproportionate cost.
	The resource costs for tax credits compliance were published in the answer I gave the hon. Member for Shipley (Philip Davies) on 17 May 2006,  Official Report,
	column 1084W.
	The National Intelligence and Analysis Team no longer exists but the team contributed towards the overall compliance targets set for tax credits contained in HMRC's (previously Inland Revenue's) Annual Reports.

Tax Credits

Hywel Williams: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total amount of tax credit overpayments was in each constituency in England and Wales in each of the last three years; how much of the overpayments was  (a) reclaimed and  (b) written off in each constituency; and what each figure represents as a percentage of the total tax credit paid in each year.

Dawn Primarolo: For estimates of the numbers of in-work families with tax credit awards, including information on overpayments, by constituency I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 16 June 2006,  Official Report, column 1421W to the hon. Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field).
	Information on overpayments reclaimed or written off, and expenditure, by constituency, is not available.

Tax Credits

Hywel Williams: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans there are for HM Revenue and Customs to produce tax credit notices and renewal packs in the Welsh language; and when these will be made available to claimants.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 23 May 2006,  Official Report, column 1651W.

Tax Credits

James Gray: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people he estimates are eligible to claim tax credit but do not claim.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr Laws) on 12 June 2006,  Official Report, Column 933W.

Tax Credits

Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the total amount of tax credits paid erroneously to illegal immigrants in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 18 July 2006,  Official Report, column 363W.

Tax Credits

Danny Alexander: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the target date was for issue of a customer's first tax credit award notice for 2006-07; and in what proportion of cases this target was met.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 16 Jun 2006,  Official Report, column 1421W and the hon. Member for Guildford (Anne Milton) on 2 November 2005,  Official Report,( , )column 1058W.

Tax Credits

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the amount of child tax credit paid to migrant workers from within the EU whose children do not reside in the UK in the latest period for which an estimate is available.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Rayleigh (Mr. Francois) on 13 September 2006,  Official Report, columns 2337-2338W.

Tax Revenue

Susan Kramer: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total amount of tax raised from all sources is in each of the last three financial years.

Dawn Primarolo: The Treasury's latest estimates of tax receipts are published monthly in table C4 of the Public Finances Databank:
	www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/economic_data_and_tools/finance_spending_statistics/pubsec_finance
	The series which most closely reflects the total amount of tax raised each financial year is 'Net taxes and National Insurance Contributions'.

Tax Revenue

Susan Kramer: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total amount of income tax is that his Department has collected in the last three financial years.

Dawn Primarolo: The amount of income tax collected net of repayments and tax credits treated as negative taxation in the past three financial years can be found at
	www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/tax receipts/tablel-2.xls.

Tax Revenue

Susan Kramer: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what total amount of inheritance tax his Department has collected in the last three financial years.

Dawn Primarolo: Net revenue from inheritance tax is published on the HMRC internet site at
	www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/tax_receipts/table1-2.xls.

Departmental Expenditure

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much was spent by his Department in respect of hotel and other similar privately-provided accommodation  (a) in the UK and  (b) abroad for (i) Ministers, (ii) staff and (iii) other persons in each year since 2001-02.

Peter Hain: The Wales Office does not have any agencies or non-departmental bodies.
	The Wales office does not currently hold information in the format requested. This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Electoral Commission

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the Electoral Commission Report, Wales: Poll Position in Respect of Changes made in the Governance of Wales.

Peter Hain: I welcome the Electoral Commission's report, which identifies a need for more effective communication of the powers, remit and responsibilities of the National Assembly for Wales. In the Government of Wales Act 2006 we have given the Assembly new powers to promote public awareness of its role and electoral arrangements. This was itself recommended in the Electoral Commission's earlier report on the 2003 Assembly elections.

Nuclear Decommissioning

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate he has made of the cost of decommissioning Wylfa power station on Anglesey; how long the decommissioning process will take; how many local jobs will be created by the decommissioning process; and if he will make a statement.

Peter Hain: I and my Department have made no direct estimates on the decommissioning of Wylfa. The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) assumed responsibility for the decommissioning and clean-up of the UK's historic civil nuclear legacy on 1 April 2005. The legacy includes the Magnox nuclear power station at Wylfa, Anglesey.
	The lifetime costs for Wylfa are estimated to be in the region of 1.7 billion, with about 1.2 billion spent subsequent to the end of operations. The NDA's current plan for decommissioning Wylfa (as set out in its approved Strategy) is that it will operate until 2010; between 2010 and 2012 the fuel will be removed. That will be followed by a period of preparation for care and maintenance, which will include all of the facilities outside the reactor core being decommissioned; this is planned to be completed by 2025. The core and its contents will be finally cleared by 2125. Further details of all NDA activities, such as the Strategy and plans for Wylfa and decommissioning costs, can be found on the NDA website at: www.nda.gov.uk.
	The detail of Wylfa's plans for decommissioning and clean-up are still in preparation, and job requirements have not yet been finalised. The NDA is therefore only able to provide indicative numbers. The current plan estimates that job numbers (staff and subcontract) will be about 700 in 2010, reducing progressively to 160 in 2024 through the defuelling and decommissioning phase for care and maintenance preparations.
	The Assembly Government is working with the Isle of Anglesey County Council, UK Government and other stakeholders to develop approaches for addressing the future socio-economic impact.

Benefit Claimants

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the likely impact of the local housing allowance on the welfare of benefit claimants and their dependants.

James Plaskitt: Compared to the current housing benefit rules, we estimate that the majority of new claimants will gain under the local housing allowance. This will make a positive contribution to tackling child poverty and to the welfare of those without children.
	The local housing allowance provides a more transparent housing benefit scheme and through direct payment to claimants, encourages greater financial inclusion. The transparency of the scheme will also help claimants to understand the maximum amount of housing benefit that they can receive, reducing the likelihood that they move into accommodation without realising that housing benefit will not cover the full rent.

Departmental Carbon Emissions

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the total carbon emission from his Department's buildings in each year since 1997.

James Plaskitt: Total carbon emissions for the Department of Work and Pensions, as reported in the annual Sustainable Development in Government reports since 2002 (the first full year of DWP operations) are as follows:
	
		
			   KcG 
			 2002-03 57,420,562 
			 2003-04 60,820,498 
			 2004-05 62,119,510 
		
	
	These figures are calculated by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and do not reflect the substantial volumes of renewable electricity secured by the Department during those years.
	Figures for 2005-06 are currently being calculated and will be published in the next Sustainable Development in Government report.

Housing Allowance

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the likely difference between the average contractual rent and the local housing allowance in the private rented sector if such a scheme is introduced across the country.

James Plaskitt: Any shortfall between the local housing allowance and contractual rent at the time of national roll-out of the local housing allowance will depend on the trends in local rent levels and the accommodation choices made by tenants. The trends in local rent levels up to the point of national roll-out cannot be predicted precisely and local housing allowance rates will vary across local private rent sector markets and different sizes of property. However, we estimate that the majority of new claimants at rollout will gain under the proposed national local housing allowance compared to what they would have been entitled to under the current housing benefit rules. Additionally, as the rates will be set at the median market rent and published, claimants will have access to 50 per cent. of the rental market and will know their maximum entitlement in advance reducing the risk of unexpected shortfalls.
	Differences between the local housing allowance and contractual rents will be one of the issues we will look at as part of the proposed two year review of the local housing allowance.

Incapacity Benefit

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether specialist counselling support is available at job centres to assist incapacity benefit claimants back into work.

Jim Murphy: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. I have asked her to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Lesley Strathie, dated 10 October 2006:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking whether specialist counselling support is available at job centres to assist incapacity benefit claimants back into work. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	Specialist Personal Advisers, who have received specific training in supporting and advising customers with health conditions and disabilities are available in all Jobcentres to help incapacity benefits' customers back to work.
	Within the Pathways to Work pilots, incapacity benefits' customers have access to specialist Condition Management Programmes. Customers referred to these programmes are assessed by clinicians who will draw up a health action plan outlining the most appropriate programme for that particular customer.
	In those areas where Pathways to Work does not operate, Jobcentre Plus advisers are also able to access a wide range of support available from partner organisations; for instance, in the voluntary and community sectors that specialise in supporting individuals with health issues and multiple barriers to work. Some of these organisations will be able to offer counselling to customers who wish to take advantage of such services.